A daily news service

MARCH 15

Pope to young people: Do not be afraid to receive Christ's Cross

Vatican City, 15 (NE) "Don't be afraid to receive in your lives the Cross of Christ!" This was the petition Pope John Paul II made yesterday to the young people of Turin that received the Cross of the World Youth Day, that peregrinates through many dioceses in Italy during this time.

In his words before the Sunday Angelus prayer, he highlighted the Christian meaning of the cross, that "gives full value and significance to the joys and sorrows of existence, helping each one to make from his own life a gift of love for God and for the brethren". The cross "isn't a sign of death, but of life; not of frustration, but of hope; not of defeat, but of victory", affirmed the Pope.

He also recalled the presence of the Virgin Mary in the life of the Church, trusting her the Lenten itinerary of the whole Church. "I would like to particularly trust her the commitment of the young people, so that you are always ready to bear the Cross of Christ, sign of your salvation and banner of the definitive victory. The Cross is the testimony that you, dear young people, must receive from the generations that precede you, in order to bear it, as true apostles of the Gospel, into the Third Millennium".

Bishops in Ecuador urge people to help in "reconstruction" of nation

Guayaquil, 15 (NE) In face of the economic and social crisis currently undergoing in the country, the Ecuadorian Bishops have urgently requested the National Congress and people in general collaboration to "reconstruct" the nation.

Demanding the consent of parliamentarians to the economic measures announced by President Jamil Mahuad, the Ecuador Bishops' Conference requested that "free from party convictions and dogmatisms, they give the quick answer people request at this hour". "Time is running out in order to avoid a greater evil", they stated.

Bishops of the Church in Ecuador pointed out that one cannot forget that the current crisis has its origin in "errors made in the past", especially by "the irresponsibility of many rulers, legislators, politicians, managers, bankers and syndicalists". They also manifested that the measures taken by the government will certainly affect many, but they constitute an alternative in view of the dramatic situation of "hyper- inflation that normally remains for years and bankrupts everyone".

Congo-Brazzaville: bishops make calling to reconciliation

Rome, 15 (NE) An invitation to give up to armed fighting and live reconciliation was made recently by the Congo-Brazzaville Bishops' Conference. According to the Vatican agency "Fides", the bishops requested "the armed rebellious groups to give up to the logic of violence". At the same time they manifested the necessity that political and military authorities guarantee the security of those ceasing to fight.

The message of the episcopate, issued towards the end of February, was directed to Christian communities and to all men of good will, making "a calling to cease hostilities and reconcile". They also invited the political and administrative authorities to commit "deeply in the process of reconciliation of the youth today divided", due to the fact that they are mainly youths who combat in the rebels lines.

In spite of the difficult and violent situation that Congo-Brazzaville in undergoing, the bishops of the region have manifested their hope of finally seeing "a culture of human rights, of respect for life and of human dignity being born and developed in our country".

New Institute of Canon Law in Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo, 15 (NE) A new institute of Canon Law will be inaugurated in brief in the Archdiocese of Sao Paulo, Brazil. A group of experts in Canon Law is helping in the organization of the institute that has as one of its aims to form teachers in canon law to help in seminaries and theology faculties. Organizers also expect to help in this manner to assist in canonic matters the different Church instances in Sao Paulo. As informed, there is also the possibility of annexing the institute to the Faculty of Canon Law of the Pontifical Lateran University of Rome.

Catholics from Madrid in pilgrimage to "Santiago de Compostela"

Madrid, 15 (NE) A pilgrimage of faith will be carried out at the beginning of May where hundreds of Catholics from Madrid will pilgrim to the sepulcher of the Apostle James. The days 2nd, 3rd and 4th of May, faithful of this archdioceses will pilgrim to Santiago of Compostela presided by Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco, Archbishop of Madrid. The event is organized by the vicariate of relations and public events of the archdioceses, and is open to all those that want to participate.

The most important act of the pilgrimage will be the "Eucharist Celebration of the Pilgrim", to be held on the 3rd of May in the Cathedral of Santiago. As one of the organizers has informed, the activity will be a special moment of grace and of renewal of faith for all pilgrims that participate in the event.

MARCH 13

Not to be alarmed by number of pilgrims attending Father Pio´s beatification, says Cardinal

Rome, 13 (NE) Cardinal Camilo Ruini, General Vicar of the Holy Father for the diocese of Rome, stated that there is no reason to be alarmed by the great number of people expected at the beatification ceremony of Father Pio of Pietrelcina. «Everything will take place normally», he declared. The Italian Cardinal stated as well that «we are all very happy for the beatification of Father Pio». «I am against any alarm, for this is a positive event, that reminds people of the values that give life a meaning, those values that Father Pio showed in such a special way».

The celebration will take place next 2nd of May. On that day, pilgrims may be not only at Saint Peter's Square, but also at Saint John Lateran`s Square. Yesterday a communique was issued informing that due to the great quantity of people expected, the ceremony will be also simultaneously transmitted on a screen in front of Saint John Lateran´s Basilica. A live video link-up from San Giovanni Rotondo and the two Roman squares is also planned.

The communique was issued after a meeting presided by Archbishop Giovanni Battista Re, Substitute for the Secretary of State, at which the mayor of Rome and a group of Capuchin friars were also present. It was also informed that after the event in Saint Peter Square the Holy Father will go to Saint John Lateran Square to pray the Regina Coeli and say a few words to the pilgrims.

Archbishop of New York urges to maintain firm moral principles

Washington, 13 (NE) «There are those in the state of New York trying very, very hard to insist, to demand that either we reject our principles or we will be driven out of business», Cardinal John O'Connor, Archbishop of New York, pointed out this week in a press conference held in Albany. Throughout the conference the American Cardinal denounced the pressures that pro-abortion groups are exercising against Catholic hospitals.

In view of this situation, generated by the merging of a non-Catholic hospital that performs abortions into a Catholic hospital that doesn't, the Cardinal urged to firmly maintain the moral principles of the Church in all medical matters. «We will fight against any efforts to try to emasculate the integrity of our approach to the human person», affirmed the Archbishop.

The New York Cardinal held a meeting with the state governor in order to present the priorities in the agenda of the State Catholic Conference, which include other legislative proposals in favor of life.

Brazilian Cardinal points out necessity of saints in today's world

Rio do Janeiro, 13 (NE) «In Jesus, God wants to give to all those who believe and convert, the participation in Trinitarian life. It isn't a passive attitude, but rather a conscious one, with zeal, in the pursuit of the steps of the Redeemer». With these words Cardinal Eugenio do Araujo Sales, Archbishop of Rio do Janeiro, underlined the importance of the search of holiness in the life of Christians in today's world. Recalling the testimony of Blessed Antonio of Sant'Anna Galvão, first Blessed person of Brazilian origin, Cardinal Eugenio affirmed emphatically Church's teaching on universal vocation to holiness.

The Brazilian Cardinal also recalled the description that Pope John Paul II made in his last encyclical «Fides et ratio» about the «tragic situation not only of philosophy, but also of today's culture», pointing out the saint as the one «who vigorously denies» this reality. Saints affirm their «total submission to the truth that makes us free», turning into a «factor of profound transformations» through his testimony, words and actions.

He also pointed out that holiness, as an authentic «answer to a world in crisis», is «provoked by the dynamism of the Holy Spirit» and must be, before the world, a «manifestation of the power of grace», that has to be adopted and corresponded to with a life marked by fidelity and a quick obedience to the Gospel.

Japan Bishop's request laws to protect human life from its conception

Rome, 13 (NE) Alarmed by genetic research and increasing recourse to abortion, Japan's Catholic bishops have requested the government to take specific measures to uphold human dignity. The bishops of the Asian country have pointed out the necessity of defending the right of life of those non-born as well and the equal dignity of all human life.

According to Asian news agency «UCAN», the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan expressed «serious concern» over control, manipulation, and destruction of fertilized human ova and human fetuses.

The bishops also expressed concern over using prenatal diagnosis to eliminate fetuses with illness or disability. In view of this unfortunate situation, they have asked the government to «provide for a system and laws to ensure that, in all medical care from the beginning of life, the life of the child should be respected».

New archbishop assumes archdiocese in Cordoba, Argentina

Buenos Aires, 13 (NE) Yesterday Archbishop Carlos Ñañez, new Archbishop of Cordoba, took possession of his see during a concurred Eucharistic celebration at the cathedral church of the archdiocese. He succeeds Cardinal Raul Primatesta, now Archbishop emeritus of Cordoba after 34 years in service at the head of the archdiocese.

Archbishop Ñañez declared his high regard for Archbishop Primatesta. He thanked him for «his testimony and for his abnegate and generous service in the archdiocese for so many years». Also present during Mass were the Apostolic Nuncio Ubaldo Calabressi, Archbishop Estanislao Karlic, President of the Argentinean Episcopate, as well as other prelates. The general secretary of the presidency, Alberto Kohan, also attended in representation of President Carlos Menem.

The prelate expressed his wish for a «truly missionary work and encouragement in the pastoral work» at the interior of the Church as well as in its «projection into society». He also emphasized his commitment to announce the Gospel and «to serve in all what corresponds to the dignity of the person».

MARCH 12

Pope requests press to give greater importance to truth

Vatican, 12 (NE) Upon receiving yesterday a group of journalists and readers from the German Catholic newspaper "Liboriusblat", Pope John Paul highlighted the importance of Catholic press in today's society. He also manifested the necessity of "a truly Catholic press", that bears the intention to promote a public opinion inspired on the teachings of the Church.

He also warned that unfortunately today the press many times has given way to wrong approaches. "Quantity is many times preferred in detriment of quality. The public opinion is many times formed based on presentation and impact of news, more than on their content", he affirmed.

"Sometimes it seems as if the content of truth in news is sacrificed in order to sell", the Holy Father added, stressing as well the responsibility of readers in choosing correctly what to read.

Sister Nirmala: We don't want to hasten Mother Teresa´s process

Rome, 12 (NE) Sister Nirmala, successor of Mother Teresa as superior of the Missionaries of Charity, manifested yesterday that they would not aim to hasten the beatification process of the beloved founder of the congregation. In a press conference, the religious affirmed: "At the Charity here, we are not in a hurry, we would rather want the real Mother to come, whom we can venerate more".

During the press conference Father Brian Kolodiejchuk was also present. He has been designated by the Missionaries of Charity to carry out the report on the life of Mother Teresa. The priest explained that it was still not known how long the process of canonization will take, pointing out the difficulty of its completion for the year 2000.

Father Kolodiejchuk will be the entrusted of preparing a formal petition, which will later be sent to the Archbishop of Calcuta. The Archbishop would then form a three-member tribunal, comprising Father Brian, himself, and promoter of justice for a thorough inquiry. The results would later be sent to the Vatican, where they would be examined by a new commission. Finally, Pope John Paul II would give his decision. As explained by the priest, the miracles, that are but favors granted through the intercession of Mother Teresa, will be those that can not be explained through the laws of nature.

According to what has been informed, the report of two miracles attributed to the intercession of Mother Teresa have already been sent, one in United States and the other in Palestine.

Archbishop of Quito demands definitive solution to crisis in Ecuador

Quito, 12 (NE) Archbishop Antonio Gonzales of Quito urged the government to give a "definitive and fundamental solution" to the deep economic and social crisis that has reached a highly worrying level in Ecuador.

"The social and economic crisis has reached rock-bottom", said the prelate, describing the critical situation that has led Ecuadorian banks to be paralyzed for several days, plus a 48-hour strike and conflicts between police and people that marched against government.

Archbishop Gonzales also demanded Ecuadorian president Jamil Mahuad to "know, with absolute clarity, what to do and how to do it", referring to the measures he will have to take in the following days. "Mahuad must prove that he knows what he has to do, and how", the prelate affirmed.

Mexican Bishops oppose law promoting casinos

Mexico City, 12 (NE) Last Wednesday the Mexican Episcopal Conference (CEM) pronounced itself against a law that would promote installation of casinos throughout the country. "What we need in Mexico, stated the bishops, is fair retribution to workers, and employment according to human dignity, not games of chance".

They also stated that these businesses normally become centers for drug traffic, sexual commerce and money-laundering. "They aren't determinant for the attraction of tourists, the number of employments they offer isn't significant, they don't retain migrants, the generation of reserves isn't important due to the administration cost that has to be paid at international prices".

The CEM also declared that government's laws and decisions should correspond to human dignity and should lead man to authentic development. The Mexican bishops asked "governors and legislators to be at the height of so rich and hopeful aims, that seek and promote all what dignifies and not what diminishes and degrades the human being".

MARCH 11

The Holy Trinity, "mystery that challenges and involves", says Pope

Vatican City, 11 (NE) "Great mystery, mystery of love, ineffable mystery, before which words give place to the silence of awe and adoration". With these words the Holy Father described the Holy Trinity in his weekly catechesis during yesterday's General Audience.

Reflecting on the words "God is love" from St. John´s first Epistle, the Pope declared that it means that God is a "free and total gift of Himself, to which Christ especially gave witness by his death on the Cross". "In the sacrifice of Christ the infinite love of the Father for the world is revealed", said the Pontiff.

The truth of the Trinity, far from being distant from the life of human beings, is a "divine mystery that challenges and involves, because participation in Trinitarian life is offered by the redemptive incarnation of the Word, and by the gift of the Holy Spirit". Recalling the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Pope highlighted that "the whole of Christian life is a communion with each of the divine persons, without separating them in any way".

Symposium to start today on cultural changes at the dawn of the 21st Century

Vatican City, 11 (NE) Cardinal Paul Poupard, President of the Pontifical Council for Culture, will preside at a symposium beginning today in Quebec, Canada. The event will be held with the theme "Cultural Changes and Transcendence at the Dawn of the 21st Century" from March 11-14.

The international congress is organized by the Pontifical Council for Culture and the Assembly of Bishops of Quebec. During the meeting, the Vatican Cardinal will as well preside the ceremony of inauguration of the exposition "Renovation of sacred art in Quebec" and the presentation of the book "North America in the religious archives of Rome, 1600-1922".

The President of the Pontifical Council for Culture will offer the final conference to take place in the Cathedral Basilica of "Notre-Dame of Quebec". He will speak on "The transcendence between private and public life. The challenges of the Church at the threshold of the new millennium".

Letter of solidarity from Argentinean President sent to Holy Father

Buenos Aires, 11 (NE) President Carlos Menem sent yesterday a letter expressing his solidarity to Pope John Paul II after and offensive note directed to the Pontiff some days ago by a group of "Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo". The Argentinean leader described as "infamous expressions" the terms of the letter, that has been pointed out as "clumsy and unjust" by local media.

"I feel particularly hurt and ashamed by the fact that such offenses can come from people born in our country", the Argentinean president wrote to the Pope. In the same way, he referred to the unfortunate event as an "unusual sample of irreverence".

The manifestation of solidarity with the Pope shown by the Argentinean president comes after a letter of adhesion sent to the Holy Father by the bishops of this country. In response to the offensive note sent by a group of the "Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo", the bishops expressed their "deep affection, gratefulness and filial adhesion" in name of the faithful of the Catholic Church in the country.

Kansas City Bishop highlights evangelizing role of youth

Miami, 11 (NE) Young people can be evangelists, they can do apostolic work, and they can engage in peer ministry, Bishop Raymond J. Boland said at a recent prayer service with Adult scout leaders. The Bishop of Kansas City- St. Joseph highlighted the important role played by young people in today's evangelization efforts.

Urging leaders to review Pope John Paul II's talk to youth in Saint Louis in January, Bishop Boland remembered that the Holy Father "is telling the young people, don't wait, go out today and do Christ's work".

The bishop especially highlighted the mission of youth to be "evangelizers among their peers", mission that must be encouraged and supported by those that guide them. "Young people can play a distinct role, and you are their mentors, their leaders and their guides", the Bishop said.

Church in Argentina fosters national reconciliation

Buenos Aires, 11 (NE) Yesterday concluded the 122nd Meeting of the Permanent Commission of the Argentinean Bishop's Conference. During the bishop's meeting it was agreed that one of the central tasks of the Church will be foster national reconciliation. In a press conference upon concluding meeting, it was informed that events in preparation for the celebration of the Great Jubilee were specially discussed, as well as the agenda of the next Plenary Assembly that will take place mid-April.

Regarding the efforts in favor of national reconciliation, Bishop Emilio Bianchi Di Carcano, Vice president of the Episcopate, said that the concrete actions had not been defined. These would be defined during the Plenary Assembly. "But it is important", he added, "that we have committed ourselves to follow this path ". "We still aren't a reconciled people, not political, not socially nor ideologically. We still have hate and resentment".

It has been informed that in preparation for the Great Jubilee a document on national reconciliation will be issued by the bishops. The document "Jesus Christ, Lord of the history" will also underline the necessity to revaluate the history of the Church in Argentina and will make an analysis of current problems.

MARCH 10

Cardinal Sodano highlights Blessed Stepinac´s heroic life

Vatican City, 10 (NE) "An intrepid shepherd, protector of the Catholic faith, of Church's unity and man's dignity, a great figure of the Catholic Church and of the Croatian nation". With these words Cardinal Sodano, Vatican State Secretary, recently recalled Blessed Croatian Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac. The Cardinal's words were said during the presentation of a new biography on the former Archbishop of Zagreb beatified last year by Pope John Paul II.

The biography has been written by Giampaolo Mattei for the collection "Notebooks of L´Osservatore Romano". Cardinal Franjo Kuharic, current Archbishop of Zagreb was also present in the presentation. Cardinal Sodano referred to Blessed Stepinac´s life, who dramatically suffered the abuses of nazi occupation and the communist government. He affirmed that the biography "will help many good will men to know the truth about Blessed Stepinac´s heroic faithfulness to God and to the Church in those difficult years".

The Secretary of State also regretted the "black legend" that has tried to "obscure the heroic testimony of Cardinal Stepinac". "Facts are more eloquent than all the arbitrary deformations of those that have tried to vilify a man that sacrificed himself for all". "Nevertheless, this is not surprising, as calumnies against the Servant of God Pious XII after the war weren't surprising either. These calumnies ignore the facts of history and manipulate them so that they coincide with their own a priori theses. This is a kind of persecution that shouldn't surprise Christians", he remarked.

Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac was beatified the 3rd October last year by Pope John Paul II, only 38 years after his death. He was an untiring fighter for peace during World War II, as well as a courageous protector of the dignity of man and of the Church in Croatia during communist regime. Due to his firm fidelity to the principles of the Gospel he was considered a persona non grata by the national socialist authorities and suffered unjust and grave abuses. During his beatification ceremony Pope John Paul II referred to him as "one of the prominent figures of the Catholic Church".

Puerto Rican Cardinal asks for greater commitment of laity

San Juan, 10 (NE) Cardinal Luis Aponte Martinez, Archbishop of San Juan, Puerto Rico, emphasized evangelization of the family as one of the most important tasks of the Church in these times. He also affirmed the necessity of a greater support and commitment of the laity in order to react to "errors and attacks against faith".

In his declarations to a local newspaper in occasion of the twenty-sixth anniversary of his incorporation to the College of Cardinals, he remarked that disintegration of families is the root of many problems of society. "A good society can only come from a good family union. And family is also the cause of a youth as we have today, in many areas completely disoriented", he said.

He also insisted on the necessity for a bishop to be a good communicator. "A shepherd, due to his office, must be a great communicator, not only with his faithful, but also with the means of communication". "The bishop's mission is to communicate the message of the Gospel", he added, "and if he is not a good communicator, he will hardly be able to announce the message of the Gospel properly".

Political prisoners impeded to practice their faith send letter to Cuban bishop

Miami, 10 (NE) The Cuban news agency Cuba Press has recently published a letter from a group of Cuban political prisoners addressed to Bishop Emilio Aranguren Echevarria, of the diocese of Cienfuegos. In this letter they request for the Cuban Bishop to intercede before Castro's government in order to allow them to practice freely their religious acts as well as having moments of study and prayer.

"In spite of all the threats -the prisoners write- we will persevere in our intentions until making our rights be recognized, of freely being able to profess the religion of our preference. In spite of the apparent tolerance, the authorities of the penal institution continued their measures, even registering the names of those who participate of these religious acts. This method induces fear within the neophytes that are more easily deviated".

They also stated how blasphemies and offenses against faith said by the "officers of reeducation" have increased in reaction to requests for respect to Christian practices. "Our tolerance -they affirm- leads us to ask for forgiveness in favor of those who do not know what they are doing, but the necessary protest and the claims for the ceasing of this spiteful practice is also an obligation we have as Christians". Finally, they point out: "Those who sign, request your attention and, mainly, your prayer. Glory and greatness be to our Savior Jesus Christ; before, now and forever, may the peace of God strengthen your virtues".

Archdiocese of Philadelphia helps affected by welfare reforms

Denver, 10 (NE) In view of the difficult situation of more than 30 thousand welfare recipients in the state of Pennsylvania in risk of losing assistance, Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, has made a calling to "share the responsibility of helping our brothers and sisters". Welfare recipients could lose assistance because of new welfare-to-work rules.

The Cardinal urged leaders and businessmen of the community to "open their doors to those who once received social assistance, many of which are well trained and prepared for work". "Working together as a community we can create possibilities for many people", he pointed out.

The archdiocese of Philadelphia has put into action different programs of preparation and training of people so that they may be employed. Also, through the archdiocesan Catholic Social Services, it is seeking to protect from the effects of welfare reforms those who can not apply to a job.

Cuba suffers "parenthesis of religious isolation", points out Apostolic Nuncio

Mexico City, 10 (NE) In an interview carried out in Uganda Archbishop Luis Robles Dias, recently named Apostolic Nuncio in Cuba, expressed his desire to help in all that is possible the Church in Cuba, that has suffered "a parenthesis of religious isolation".

"I have been here (Africa) for 14 years now, and it has its own problems, and I am now going to do my best to try to help the Church in Cuba, to grow, to recover and maintain good relations with the Government as much as it may be possible", he affirmed. He also recalled the message left by Pope John Paul II during his apostolic pilgrimage to the Caribbean country, message of "religious openness" and "freedom".

Archbishop Robles has been carrying out diplomatic work for the Holy See since 1967, working in Honduras, northern Africa, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Ecuador and Colombia. In 1985 he was named pro-nuncio in Sudan and five years later he occupied the same position in Uganda. Born in Mexico, he will substitute Bishop Beniamino Stella, named by the Holy Father Nuncio to Colombia.

MARCH 9

Walk the path of «conversion and reconciliation», says Pope

Vatican City, 9 (NE) «May the witness (of the Blessed) be an encouragement and a stimulus so we might all walk with determination the path of conversion and reconciliation, faithfully following their steps», told yesterday Pope John Paul II to the pilgrims that came to Rome for the Beatifications held last Sunday.

Addressing the Spanish-speaking pilgrims, the Pope recalled the martyrdom of the Augustinian Recollects, witness «of the invincible truth of faith». «Life dies, but faith triumphs and lives. Such is martyrdom. A supreme act of love and faithfulness to Christ, which becomes a witness, example and perpetual message for humanity today and for generations to come», declared the Successor of Peter.

The Holy Father concluded asking for the intercession of «Mary, Queen of Saints and Martyrs». Finally, he gave his blessing to all the present and «to their families and the ecclesiastic communities to which you belong».

Religion classes: essential in integral formation of youth

Madrid, 9 (NE) «Education is essential to the Church. The Church serves the Divine Design for man, which aims to the development of his dignity and all his capacities». So declared Archbishop Antonio Cañizares of Granada in Madrid's «ABC» newspaper. The prelate also declared the importance of considering religion as a fundamental subject in order to defend the true interests of young people and society, reason why the government should also cooperate.

The new president of the Bishop's Committee for Education expressed the necessity to educate young people, helping them «to find the meaning of their lives, to be truly free, joyous, capable of loving». He also affirmed the Church's right to manage schools and «educate their members according to her own convictions». «Therefore she has the right to count with a net of educative centers. She has also the right to offer society that which she bears: Christ and his view of man. It is a right and a duty for society», he added.

«There are questions», he continued, «that human beings make in the process of learning that must be answered. These are the questions about the meaning of life. If these aren't answered, the formation of the person fails. One of these questions is about religion. If we claim for the recognition of religion classes as a fundamental subject, it is to promote the integral education of the person, so that it doesn't remain in a merely functional dimension».

Archbishop of Mexico urges to promote authentic dignity of women

Mexico City, 9 (NE) Cardinal Norberto Rivera, Archbishop of Mexico, denounced in his Sunday homily the reductive visions about women that do not understand her authentic dignity, and that fruit of this lack of understanding, promote «sterilization and abortion, sometimes programmed beforehand, for the poorest and most abandoned».

The Cardinal Archbishop pointed out that «reductionist proposals concerning women's mission can not be accepted nor can programs in which they are seen through the false prism of ´reproductive health´, ignoring, in practice, an integral view of them». Some days earlier Bishop Felipe Arizmendi, of Tapachula, had declared that the Federal Government was conditioning the delivery of benefits of support programs such as ´Procampo´ and ´Progresa´ in exchange that indigenous women accepted to be sterilized or use abortive devices.

Further on the Archbishop of Mexico added that the Church feels committed to announce and defend the authentic dignity of women «in order that Mexican society contribute more to family life, founded in marriage; protect more the maternity and respect more the dignity of all women».

He also lamented how a consumerist and hedonist society has transformed women into an object of consumption, «disguising her exploitation under the pretext of ´modernity´». Cardinal Rivera finally urged women not to fall in manipulations that intend to turn her into «an instrument of death and of violence in families, following the invitation of those who want to justify abortion».

Defense of life: a priority in Church's teaching, highlights Archbishop

Medellin, 9 (NE) Archbishop Alberto Giraldo Jaramillo, of Medellin, denounced in the last Sunday edition of the newspaper «El Colombiano» those who judge the work of the Church in favor of life as a «stimulus for a irresponsible demographic growth».

«Whoever has seriously studied the teachings of the Catholic Church -the archbishop pointed out- will recognize that for the Church, the defense of life and dignity of the human being has always been a priority».

The Archbishop of Medellin, denouncing «the current permissiveness, so harmful for people, family and society», invited all to «confidently read the authentic teachings of the Church ». He especially invited Colombian Catholics to read Pope John Paul II's encyclical «Evangelium vitae», on the Gospel of life.

First Asian Youth Day to be held in August

Rome, 9 (NE) The Church in the Asian continent is preparing the first Asian Youth Day. The event will take place in Thailand in August. A planning meeting recently held in Hong Kong finalized major points of the program for this first meeting of Asian Catholic youth.

This meeting, carried out from February 26th to the 1st of March, was organized by the Youth Desk of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences Office of Laity. Delegates from Hong Kong, India, Japan, and Taiwan, among others, defined the fundamental points of the event under the theme «Asian Youth Journeying with Jesus toward the New Millennium».

The first Asian Youth Day will be carried out from the 7th to the 12th of August in the city of Hua Hin, 150 miles southwest of Bangkok. The event is expected to draw approximately 700 youth delegates of different Asian countries.

«Church News» authorizes the complete or partial reproduction of the information offered to our readers in this page, quoting the source (NE). Publication of the information in this page does not imply any compromise.

All rights reserved (©) Noticias Eclesiales